Obituary of James Francis Koch

DELMAR – James Frances Koch. 81, passed away Saturday, August 25, 2018 at St. Peter's Hospital, Albany, NY. Born in Hartford, CT on December 21, 1936, he was the son of the late Francis Xavier and Margaret (Whalen) Koch. Jim received a Bachelor of Arts degree and Master's degree in History from the University of Connecticut, where he met and married the love of his life Lois Ann (Grezel) Koch. The two were married for over 60 years. Together with their two sons they enjoyed traveling the United States, Canada and the British Isles. He retired after 25 years as a teacher at Norwich Regional Vocational Technical School. A longtime resident of Lyme, CT, Jim was very active civically serving as Selectman and on several committees including the Conservation and Inland Wetlands Committee, Planning and Zoning Commission and Open Space Committee. Jim's passion about the natural world was expressed in his photography and his activism. In his travels he avidly photographed birds and wild flowers. Working with his wife Lois and others he created the Potapaug Audubon Chapter of the National Audubon Society, serving as its first president along with several offices over the years. He also served as president of the Audubon Council of Connecticut. Along with his wife Lois Ann, survivors include his sons, Michael and his partner Elizabeth Seale of Hobart, NY and Paul and his wife Dianna of Delmar as well as their children, his cherished grandsons, Noah Xavier and Liam James; sisters, Margaret Wiernasz of Rocky Hill, CT, Rita Sclafani (Sal) of Washington, DC, and Gretchen Koch of Middletown, CT. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by three brothers, John E., Jerome W. and Joseph E. Koch. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Saturday, September 22 from 2 to 3 pm at the Applebee Funeral Home, 403 Kenwood Ave., Delmar. A Memorial Service will follow the visitation at 3 pm at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lyme, CT Land Trust, Schoharie, NY Land Trust or the Nature Conservancy.